Protecting Your Kids from Online Predators
Recently, I had a conversation with my friend Jeremy about my podcast. This chat ultimately led me to rebrand the show as The Secure Family Podcast. But during our talk, Jeremy asked me a question that stuck with me:
What is the biggest threat to today’s families?
After thinking it over, I realized the answer was crystal clear. It’s not something you can fix with antivirus software, a security system, or a self-defense tool. The greatest threat to families today is online predators grooming our children. Fortunately, there are three rules that we can use to protect our kids online.
The Reality of Online Grooming
Every day, we hear heartbreaking stories of kids manipulated online by predators. These criminals use platforms like Roblox, Discord, and other digital spaces to befriend children, gain their trust, and then exploit them. They might persuade kids to send photos, videos, or even meet them in real life.
These predators are strategic, calculating, and relentless. This is their obsession. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when” they’ll find their next target.
This isn’t a software or law maker problem. It’s a human problem—predators targeting our inexperienced kids and they are good at it.
How Predators Work: A Lesson from Nature
Think about how lions hunt on the savanna. They don’t chase the fastest impala on the open plain. Instead, they wait at the watering hole, a place where prey gathers in numbers. Similarly, predators go where kids naturally congregate—online games, social media platforms, and chat apps.
Our children may feel safe because they’re in their room, but predators exploit this false sense of security. They know exactly how to manipulate, deceive, and coerce.
Why Parental Action is Crucial
Many parents avoid discussing online grooming because it’s an uncomfortable topic. We want to preserve our kids’ innocence, and we hope this won’t happen to our child. But hoping doesn’t protect anyone—it’s like tossing a penny into a wishing well – it does nothing to affect the outcome.
Instead, we must educate ourselves and our kids. Groomers are professionals at what they do; they’ve honed their tactics over years and thousands of kids. Even the most perceptive eighth grader doesn’t stand a chance against someone who does this daily.
3 Rules to Keep Your Kids Safe from Online Predators
Here are three rules I use in my own home to create a safer digital environment. I hope they help you too.
Rule 1: No Devices in Bathrooms or Bedrooms
This might seem strict, but these private spaces can quickly become danger zones. Predators know how to turn private conversations into requests for inappropriate photos. Once they have one, they use it to blackmail the child into sending more—or worse.
Keep devices in common areas where everyone can see what’s happening. This simple rule helps prevent a lot of bad decisions before they start.
Rule 2: Disable Gaming Chat
I strongly recommend disabling chat for younger gamers. Online chats can be toxic, and groomers often use them to make contact. By disabling chat, you reduce exposure to bullying, grooming, and inappropriate language.
Despite what your kids might say, you can still play games like Minecraft, Fortnite, and APEX Legends without talking to anyone else. In fact, when I play as an adult, I don’t use the chat either.
Rule 3: Use Parental Controls
Parental controls aren’t perfect, but they’re an essential tool. They can block access to adult websites, flag suspicious activity, and even limit screen time.
Some kids might complain, “It’s my phone!” But as long as you’re paying for the device and the internet, you set the rules. Use parental controls to maintain oversight and set clear boundaries for your child’s online behavior. In the long run, this will help them to make better decisions as digital citizens.
Educate and Empower Your Kids
At the end of the day, the best defense against online predators is a combination of education and rules. Talk openly with your kids about online safety. Teach them how to recognize manipulation and encourage them to come to you if something feels wrong.
By setting rules and having these conversations, you’re not ruining their childhood—you’re protecting it. And in today’s digital age, that’s one of the most loving things you can do as a parent.
